From: owner-abolition-usa-digest@lists.xmission.com (abolition-usa-digest) To: abolition-usa-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: abolition-usa-digest V1 #285 Reply-To: abolition-usa-digest Sender: owner-abolition-usa-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-abolition-usa-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk abolition-usa-digest Monday, April 10 2000 Volume 01 : Number 285 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 08 Apr 2000 08:09:20 -0400 From: Ellen Thomas Subject: (abolition-usa) Fw: Call for Nominations - --=====================_12576017==_.ALT Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" - -----Original Message----- From: Castro, Nelvis (NCI) <castron@OCC.NCI.NIH.GOV> To: I-131NTSFALLOUT-L@LIST.NIH.GOV <I-131NTSFALLOUT-L@LIST.NIH.GOV> Date: Friday, April 07, 2000 8:48 AM Subject: Call for Nominations Dear Listserv Members: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is pleased to extend this "call for nominations" for the Communications Development Group (CDG) that will provide input and guidance for ongoing outreach concerning the public health impacts of I-131 exposure from the Nevada Test Site (NTS). As you know, it was agreed at the January 11-13, 2000 meeting that a strategic communications plan be developed to facilitate credible and meaningful communications about I-131 exposure from the NTS. It was also agreed by all that ongoing public participation in the planning process was critical for the success of the program, and that a CDG would be convened for this purpose. The NCI will play the lead role in the development of this plan, and would like your input into the identification of CDG members. Based on the recommendations at the January Workshop, we will convene a group of approximately 5-8 individuals representing a wide variety of groups and perspectives. As discussed in January, this group size is being designed to ensure that the planning process moves forward efficiently while providing significant public input and accountability. We will not expect CDG members to travel and will conduct discussions via conference call. It is anticipated that CDG members will be involved in the planning process through the end of July 2000. The NCI will compensate CDG members with a modest stipend recognizing the time and energy spent on this public service effort. We will compensate group members at a rate of $35/hour with a ceiling of $1500. This letter includes a summary of the roles and responsibilities for CDG members as well as the criteria we will be using to make the final selection of individuals. The selection criteria are closely based upon the discussions at the breakout session on this effort held during the January meeting. Please review these carefully before you nominate yourself or someone else. It is very important that those who serve on the CDG are able to make the full commitment required. Recognizing the importance of ensuring adequate public input into this process, NCI reserves the right to address any significant individual shortfall in participation by discussing this with the individual and, if necessary, removing and replacing him or her. Please submit your nominations no later than Friday, April 21, 2000. In your nomination, please include the name of the nominee, what group(s) he or she represents or whose perspective he or she represents, and a brief summary of the qualifications and expertise that this person can bring to the review of the plan NCI develops. We will review the nominations, carefully select the group members based upon the criteria outlined in this letter, and post the selections on the Listserv no later than April 28, 2000. We would like to hold a kick-off conference call with the group during the first week of May, preferably on Thursday, May 4 from 2-4 P.M. EST. During this call, we will review the roles and responsibilities of group members and review a proposed timeline for the project. The outcome of all conference calls and/or meetings will be posted on the Listserv to keep everyone informed of our progress over time. Proposed Roles and Responsibilities of NCI * The National Cancer Institute will have the primary responsibility for developing the I-131 communications plan. * The NCI will host and facilitate all conference calls, develop call summaries, and distribute them to CDG members. The NCI also will review and discuss all comments and suggestions made by CDG members during the planning process. Proposed Roles and Responsibilities of CDG Members The CDG provides a mechanism to ensure broad public input and to keep public representatives involved as partners with NCI as it develops effective public outreach about the health effects of exposure to I-131 fallout from the NTS. If this communications effort evolves over time, the CDG will serve as a model for continued public representation in an expanded program, one that might address other radionuclides (strontium-90, cesium-137, etc.), diseases other than those of the thyroid gland, and possibly multiple exposures. Therefore the role of the CDG (with both Government and community members) will be to: * Provide community representation in the ongoing program development. * Provide guidance in development of the communications plan's elements, including identifying target audiences, delineating messages by target audience, providing input about additional consumer research, and helping to articulate the strategies and tactics necessary to reach communication objectives. * Serve as the Government's "touch stone" to the community. The CDG will not be required to draft documents or write the communications plan. The role of the CDG will be to provide feedback on the documents developed by the NCI, based on workshop and CDG input. * Commit the time to participate in this process. At a minimum, this will require at least four 2-hour conference calls, reviewing materials (draft planning documents) to prepare for those calls, and providing written comments and suggestions to the NCI if requested. It is anticipated that the members will be involved in communication planning activities through July 2000. In assuming these responsibilities, the CDG members agree that after NCI takes the first steps (in identifying audiences, developing messages, proposing consumer research, and outlining strategies and tactics) that they will review NCI's proposals/plans and provide individual advice and guidance to NCI. The NCI, while recognizing that the CDG's advice and guidance are essential, will have final responsibility for all communication elements. CDG Membership Criteria Based on the input of those attending the January workshop, it was determined that the five to eight individuals to be selected for the CDG meet the following criteria: * Those selected should be able and willing to make a time commitment to the project that could possibly affect professional or family time. This will include regularly scheduled conference calls (probably about one per month) which may last up to two hours, reviewing materials prior to the calls, preparing written feedback or input into planning documents via e-mail or regular mail, reviewing a potentially high volume of e-mail messages, etc. * Individuals selected should have the ability to do informal outreach on behalf of the campaign to their constituents and to their communities. Among the membership, the most important constituent groups-by virtue of number of people, exposure levels, health consequences, etc.-as well as those identified in the January workshop, should be represented, while still keeping the number of community representatives to eight or fewer individuals. * Individuals selected should represent a diverse geography assuring that communities and regions with different exposure levels and varied adverse health affects are included on the group. Individuals should be able to represent a broad constituency or points of view. Where possible, it will be helpful to identify individuals who can represent multiple groups. For example, a physician member of a health professional group or a representative of the American Thyroid Foundation who is a health educator. * Members should have a long-term perspective to give this process the potential to serve as a model for projects related to other radionuclides and non-thyroid diseases should they be undertaken in the future. * Potential groups to be represented in the CDG include the following: * "Downwinders" from the Nevada Test Site * The African American community * Hispanic community group and migrant health center worker * American Indian tribal nation (s) * State health departments and local health departments * Health professional organizations and/or practicing physicians * Thyroidologists * The health education community * The radiation activist community. Please send nominations by email, mail, or fax to: Clare Collins National Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Communications Bldg. 31, Room 10A03 31 Center Dr. Bethesda, MD 20892 clarec@mail.nih.gov 301-435-7784 301-402-0894 fax - ---------- From: "Vina Colley" Reply-To: downwinders@egroups.com - --=====================_12576017==_.ALT Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" -----Original Message-----
From: Castro, Nelvis (NCI) <castron@OCC.NCI.NIH.GOV>
To: I-131NTSFALLOUT-L@LIST.NIH.GOV <I-131NTSFALLOUT-L@LIST.NIH.GOV>
Date: Friday, April 07, 2000 8:48 AM
Subject: Call for Nominations

Dear Listserv Members:

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is pleased to extend this "call for nominations" for the Communications Development Group (CDG) that will provide input and guidance for ongoing outreach concerning the public health impacts of I-131 exposure from the Nevada Test Site (NTS).

As you know, it was agreed at the January 11-13, 2000 meeting that a strategic communications plan be developed to facilitate credible and meaningful communications about I-131 exposure from the NTS.  It was also agreed by all that ongoing public participation in the planning process was critical for the success of the program, and that a CDG would be convened for this purpose.

The NCI will play the lead role in the development of this plan, and would like your input into the identification of CDG members.  Based on the recommendations at the January Workshop, we will convene a group of approximately 5-8 individuals representing a wide variety of groups and perspectives.  As discussed in January, this group size is being designed to ensure that the planning process moves forward efficiently while providing significant public input and accountability. We will not expect CDG members to travel and will conduct discussions via conference call.  It is anticipated that CDG members will be involved in the planning process through the end of July 2000.  The NCI will compensate CDG members with a modest stipend recognizing the time and energy spent on this public service effort.   We will compensate group members at a rate of $35/hour with a ceiling of $1500.

This letter includes a summary of the roles and responsibilities for CDG members as well as the criteria we will be using to make the final selection of individuals.  The selection criteria are closely based upon the discussions at the breakout session on this effort held during the January meeting.  Please review these carefully before you nominate yourself or someone else. It is very important that those who serve on the CDG are able to make the full commitment required.  Recognizing the importance of ensuring adequate public input into this process, NCI reserves the right to address any significant individual shortfall in participation by discussing this with the individual and, if necessary, removing and replacing him or her.

Please submit your nominations no later than Friday, April 21, 2000.

In your nomination, please include the name of the nominee, what group(s) he or she represents or whose perspective he or she represents, and a brief summary of the qualifications and expertise that this person can bring to the review of the plan NCI develops.  We will review the nominations, carefully select the group members based upon the criteria outlined in this letter, and post the selections on the Listserv no later than April 28, 2000.   We would like to hold a kick-off conference call with the group during the first week of May, preferably on Thursday, May 4 from 2-4 P.M. EST.  During this call, we will review the roles and responsibilities of group members and review a proposed timeline for the project.  The outcome of all conference calls and/or meetings will be posted on the Listserv to keep everyone informed of our progress over time.

Proposed Roles and Responsibilities of NCI
  • The National Cancer Institute will have the primary responsibility for developing the I-131 communications plan.
  • The NCI will host and facilitate all conference calls, develop call summaries, and distribute them to CDG members.  The NCI also will review and discuss all comments and suggestions made by CDG members during the planning process.
Proposed Roles and Responsibilities of CDG Members

The CDG provides a mechanism to ensure broad public input and to keep public representatives involved as partners with NCI as it develops effective public outreach about the health effects of exposure to I-131 fallout from the NTS.  If this communications effort evolves over time, the CDG will serve as a model for continued public representation in an expanded program, one that might address other radionuclides (strontium-90, cesium-137, etc.), diseases other than those of the thyroid gland, and possibly multiple exposures.  Therefore the role of the CDG (with both Government and community members) will be to:
  • Provide community representation in the ongoing program development.
  • Provide guidance in development of the communications plan's elements, including identifying target audiences, delineating messages by target audience, providing input about additional consumer research, and helping to articulate the strategies and tactics necessary to reach communication objectives.
  • Serve as the Government's "touch stone" to the community.  The CDG will not be required to draft documents or write the communications plan.  The role of the CDG will be to provide feedback on the documents developed by the NCI, based on workshop and CDG input.
  • Commit the time to participate in this process.  At a minimum, this will require at least four 2-hour conference calls, reviewing materials (draft planning documents) to prepare for those calls, and providing written comments and suggestions to the NCI if requested.  It is anticipated that the members will be involved in communication planning activities through July 2000.
In assuming these responsibilities, the CDG members agree that after NCI takes the first steps (in identifying audiences, developing messages, proposing consumer research, and outlining strategies and tactics) that they will review NCI's proposals/plans and provide individual advice and guidance to NCI.  The NCI, while recognizing that the CDG's advice and guidance are essential, will have final responsibility for all communication elements. 

CDG Membership Criteria

Based on the input of those attending the January workshop, it was determined that the five to eight individuals to be selected for the CDG meet the following criteria:
      • Those selected should be able and willing to make a time commitment to the project that could possibly affect professional or family time.  This will include regularly scheduled conference calls (probably about one per month) which may last up to two hours, reviewing materials prior to the calls, preparing written feedback or input into planning documents via e-mail or regular mail, reviewing a potentially high volume of e-mail messages, etc. 
      • Individuals selected should have the ability to do informal outreach on behalf of the campaign to their constituents and to their communities.  Among the membership, the most important constituent groups-by virtue of number of people, exposure levels, health consequences, etc.-as well as those identified in the January workshop, should be represented, while still keeping the number of community representatives to eight or fewer individuals.
      • Individuals selected should represent a diverse geography assuring that communities and regions with different exposure levels and varied adverse health affects are included on the group.  Individuals should be able to represent a broad constituency or points of view.  Where possible, it will be helpful to identify individuals who can represent multiple groups.  For example, a physician member of a health professional group or a representative of the American Thyroid Foundation who is a health educator.
      • Members should have a long-term perspective to give this process the potential to serve as a model for projects related to other radionuclides and non-thyroid diseases should they be undertaken in the future.
      • Potential groups to be represented in the CDG include the following:
    • "Downwinders" from the Nevada Test Site
    • The African American community
    • Hispanic community group and migrant health center worker
    • American Indian tribal nation (s)
    • State health departments and local health departments
    • Health professional organizations and/or practicing physicians
    • Thyroidologists
    • The health education community
    • The radiation activist community.


Please send nominations by email, mail, or fax to:

Clare Collins
National Cancer Institute
Office of Cancer Communications
Bldg. 31, Room 10A03
31 Center Dr.
Bethesda, MD 20892
clarec@mail.nih.gov
301-435-7784
301-402-0894 fax

From: "Vina Colley" <vcolley@earthlink.net>
Reply-To: downwinders@egroups.com

- --=====================_12576017==_.ALT-- - - To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 09 Apr 2000 01:47:41 PDT From: "Abolition2000 Pacific Region" Subject: (abolition-usa) Native sovereignty and militarization ("USS Hawaii" Nuclear sub) Hi Abolitionists, Just wanted to share some info about what's going on in "paradise"!! Thanks. Richard Salvador Honolulu, Hawaii - -- Date: Fri, 07 Apr 2000 15:37:54 From: Light Worker Center Subject: Alert - Overview of Hawaiian Sovereignty Hawai`i Moves Toward Independence Most people in the United States do not know that the United States Government participated in the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai`i Government in 1893. At that time, the Kingdom was a constitutional monarchy and had international treaties with 70 sovereign nations, including the U.S. One hundred years later, Congress passed and the President signed Public Law 130-150 formally apologizing for the overthrow. In what has come to be known as the Apology Resolution, the U.S. admitted that the "U.S. Minister assigned to the sovereign and independent Kingdom of Hawaii ... conspired ... to overthrow the indigenous and lawful government of Hawaii" and acknowledged that "Hawaii has never surrendered its inherent sovereignty through the monarch or by treaty or plebiscite." Under international law, the Kingdom of Hawai`i is a nation of indigenous people, known as Kanaka Maoli, with their government absent. After being jailed in 1893, Queen Lili'uokalani wrote to President Cleveland that she "yield(s) to the superior force ... until such time as the government of the United States shall ... reinstate (her) in the authority which (she) claim(s) as the constitutional sovereign of the Hawaiian Islands". On February 24, 1894, President Cleveland issued a proclamation which said: "Whereas, my good and great sister and fellow sovereign, her gracious majesty, Liliuokalani, queen of Hawai`i, has been wickedly and unlawfully dethroned by the machinations of Americans and persons of American descent in those islands, being instigated by the devil, one John L. Stevens [US Minister] ... I, Grover Cleveland, President of the United States, do hereby ordain and appoint the last day of April next as a day of solemn fasting, humiliation, and prayer. Let my people humble themselves and repent of their injustice to me and my great and good sister, and pray ... for her speedy return to the throne .... Long Live Liliuokalani, the de jure queen of Hawaii." The Queen lodged similar protests to the next two U.S. presidents. Over 38,000 indigenous people signed a petition to protest annexation of their Kingdom in 1897. The U.S. Congress passed a resolution favoring annexation and quietly finessed the resolution into an annexation by sleight of tongue. This manipulation of words was never lawful, as the Apology Resolution acknowledges. The Kanaka Maoli have never stopped their struggle to regain their independence. Today, that movement is stronger than ever before. A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling struck down as unconstitutional the election process for trustees of an agency known as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). Set up in part to give back to Hawaiians a little of what was taken from them, the OHA elections were limited to descendants of the original Hawaiians. The Supreme Court said such a limitation in a state election was unconstitutional. Removing one of the last remaining quasi-self governing vehicles for Kanaka Maoli has moved the sovereignty question to a new level. The only debate within the sovereignty movement is whether to seek creation of a "nation within a nation" as the Native Americans now exist or complete independence. Inherent sovereignty is the legacy of the Kanaka Maoli. No group, communities, native born or otherwise can abrogate this legacy and the precious inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness given by the Creator, Ke Akua. This is Natural Law (or Common Law) and is protected by international law and the Law of Nations. Furthermore, all nations have the right to exist and overthrown nations have a right to reinstate their former governments. Poland, Norway, Holland, Belgium,Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Ethiopia, The Philippines, Hungary, Lithuania, Estonia, Rumania, Bulgaria are among the many sovereign nations whose conquered governments were reinstated in this century. In 1949, Israel was reinstated after 1300 years of exile. While certainly it may seem strange to people on the mainland, Hawai'i, under international law, is a foreign country awaiting the return of its government. There are various efforts underway to restore the Hawaiian nation. There is also an effort underway by the United States government characterized as "reconciliation." Representatives of the Justice Department and the Interior Department came to Hawai`i to hold hearings. Sovereignty activists noted the absence of anyone from the State Department. Members of Congress are trying to fashion a Department of Hawaiian Affairs-type solution to the injustices of the past. These US government efforts cannot substitute for an honest dialogue about restoring sovereignty stolen from the Hawaiian people. The naming of a new US nuclear powered attack submarine as the USS Hawaii tells more about US intentions than any reconciliation effort. The Secretary of the Navy views Hawai`i as the forward base for US naval insertion into the Pacific. The naming is a deliberate insult and provocation designed to intimidate those seeking justice. The Hawaiian people are incresingly united in their quest for restoration of their sovereignty. The United States would be well served to honor the admission of guilt in the Apology Resolution and discontinue efforts to impose a solution. - --- end forwarded text See URL below for more information on Hawaiian sovereignty: ___________________________________________________________ | Hawai`i - Independent & Sovereign | | info@hawaii-nation.org http://hawaii-nation.org | |___________________________________________________________| ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - - To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 09 Apr 2000 02:08:12 PDT From: "Abolition2000 Pacific Region" Subject: (abolition-usa) [One Hawaiian response] Letter to the Editor re: new submarine (fwd) FYI: Native sovereignty and militarization. - ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2000 20:40:33 -1000 From: Hawaii Nation Info To: Hawaii Nation Info Subject: Fwd: Letter to the Editor re: new submarine - --- begin forwarded text From: Ikaika Hussey Subject: Letter to the Editor re: new submarine Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2000 12:20:57 -1000 This letter is in opposition to the proposed naming of a Virginia-class submarine "USS Hawaii," as reported Friday. As a Kanaka Maoli and as a person with much aloha for this `aina [land], I cannot help but protest a decision that in my mind goes against all that Hawai`i is. This is a place for us to care for. Our name should not be emblazoned on the hull of a war machine. Hawai`i is a sacred name, given to these islands by the first people who prophesized their existence more than two millennia ago. The name has tremendous spiritual and emotional weight for those whose genealogies stretch over centuries to this place, and to the multicultural nation that developed here in the 19th century. The proposed name "USS Hawaii" is an attempt to Americanize this Hawai`i of ours, to solidify the tenuous illegal relationship between Hawai`i and the US and also to obscure and destroy our unique Local and Kanaka Maoli cultures. This is being done at a time when we citizens who love this land are seeking internal reconciliation for the events of the last hundred-plus years, so as to build a peaceful future for all our peoples. The proposed naming is a mockery of our important community- and peace-building process. The Honolulu Advertiser reports Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig as saying, "Hawaii is remarkable for its level of commitment to its military forces and for its strategic location" (Friday April 7 2000). We need to ask ourselves: is Hawai`i only that - a 'strategic location'? No. Hawai`i is much more. This is all our home. We have lived here in prosperity for two thousand years, we have buried our ancestors here, and we will continue to raise our grandchildren here to practice "aloha `aina" - a deep and profound love for the land. The name "Hawai`i" belongs to the `aina of Hawai`i itself, and to the people who care for it. The US Navy has no right, nor does any other party, to unilaterally take this name. Let's all practice our aloha `aina today and forever, and stand for our vision of Hawai`i as a place where we live and which we love. Aloha `Aina Mau A Mau, Ikaika M L Hussey Mokapu 382-8770 - --- end forwarded text - -- ___________________________________________________________ | Hawai`i - Independent & Sovereign | | info@hawaii-nation.org http://hawaii-nation.org | |___________________________________________________________| "The cause of Hawaii and independence is larger and dearer than the life of any man connected with it. Love of country is deep- seated in the breast of every Hawaiian, whatever his station." - Queen Lili`uokalani <<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>><<<>>> ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - - To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2000 07:21:10 -0400 From: Ellen Thomas Subject: (abolition-usa) NucNews 00/04/10: DC Briefings; archives updated to 3/31/00 - --=====================_6058704==_.ALT Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable (1) NucNews Archives will be updated to 3/31/2000 by noon today (EDT). (2) April 10, 2000 Washington Times Daybook http://www.washtimes.com/national/daybook-2000410212410.htm Environmental news briefing =97 9 a.m. =97 Environmental Media Services= holds a news briefing on World Bank financing of oil, gas and mining projects in poor actions. Location: National Press Club, West Room, 14th and F streets NW. Contact: 202/822-5200. World Bank conference =97 1 p.m. =97 World Bank holds a conference on "Investing in Our Children's Future." Highlights =97 2 p.m. =97 Health and= Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala keynote address: "Investing in Young Children to Break Intergenerational Poverty" =97 Location: World Bank, = Preston Auditorium, 1818 H St. NW. Contact: 202/477-1234. (3) A16 Action events - http://www.a16.org/action.html: Press Conference - 10am=20 A press conference to launch the boycott of World Bank Bonds, with = speakers from investment firms and boycott organizers. National Press Building,= Zenger Room (13th Floor) - More Info >> Neil Tangri action@essential.org,= 202.387.8030 Neil Watkins - watkinsn@cepr.org - 202.822.1180 x208,= www.worldbankboycott.org=20 ___________________________________________________ NucNews Archives: http://prop1.org/nucnews/briefslv.htm Today's Newspapers: http://prop1.org/nucnews/links.htm Submit Letter/Notice/Article: mailto:prop1@prop1.org (NucNews-Editor) About NucNews: http://prop1.org/nucnews/nucnews.htm E-Mail Archive: http://www.onelist.com/archive/NucNews Subscribe: mailto:prop1@prop1.org (NucNews-Subscribe) Here are excellent e-mail news resources (free, by subscription, for educational purposes, in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107.): DOE Watch - doewatch@onelist.com | http://members.aol.com/doewatch=20 Downwinders - downwinders@onelist.com | http://downwinders@onelist.com=20 EnviroNews - environews@envirolink.org|http://www.envirolink.org/environews= =20 Planet Ark - mailto:anna@planetark.org|http://www.planetark.org/news/ Radbull (Radiation Bulletin for Activists) - mailto:rogerh@energy-net.org Distributed without payment for research and educational=20 purposes only, by subscription, and archived for the use of all, in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107. - --=====================_6058704==_.ALT Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
(1) NucNews Archives will be updated to 3/31/2000 by noon today (EDT).

(2)  April 10, 2000 Washington Times Daybook

    Environmental news briefing  =97 9 a.m. =97 Environmental Media Services holds a news  briefing on World Bank  financing of oil, gas and mining projects in poor actions.  Location: National Press Club,  West Room, 14th and F streets NW. Contact: 202/822-5200.

    World Bank conference =97 1 p.m. =97 World Bank hold= s a conference on "Investing in Our Children's Future."  Highlights =97 2 p.m. =97 Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala keynote address: "Investing in Young Children to Break Intergenerational Poverty" =97  Location: World Bank,  Preston Auditorium, 1818 H St. NW. Contact: 202/477-1234.

(3) A16 Action events - http://www.a16.org/action.html:

Press Conference - 10am
A press conference to launch the  boycott of World Bank Bonds, with  speakers from investment firms and boycott organizers. National Press Building, Zenger Room (13th Floor) - More Info >> Neil Tangri action@essential.org, 202.387.8030
Neil Watkins - watkinsn@cepr.org - 202.822.1180 x208, www.worldbankb= oycott.org



    = ___________________________________________________

NucNews Archives: http://prop1.org/nucnews/briefslv.htm
Today's Newspapers: http://prop1.org/nucnews/links.htm
Submit Letter/Notice/Article: mailto:prop1@prop1.org (NucNews-Editor)
About NucNews: http://prop1.org/nucnews/nucnews.htm
E-Mail Archive: http://www.onelist.com/archive/NucNews
Subscribe:  mailto:prop1@prop1.org (NucNews-Subscribe)

Here are excellent e-mail news resources (free, by subscription, for= educational purposes, in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107.):

DOE Watch - doewatch@onelist.com |= http://members.aol.com/doewatch
Downwinders - downwinders@onelist.com |= http://downwinders@onelist.com
EnviroNews - environews@envirolink.org|http://www.envirolink.org/environews
Planet Ark - mailto:anna@planetark.org|http://www.planetark.org/news/
Radbull (Radiation Bulletin for Activists) - mailto:rogerh@energy-net.org

      Distributed without payment for= research and educational
   purposes only, by subscription, and archived for the use of= all,
             in= accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107.


- --=====================_6058704==_.ALT-- - - To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. Do not use quotes in your message. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2000 10:20:54 -0400 From: ASlater Subject: (abolition-usa) Fwd: Update on Bolivia Dear Friends, If we are going to make the links with the events in Seattle and nuclear weapons, here's a harrowing story about one of our more infamous corporate nuclear weapons contractors--the guys who bring us underground subcritical tests in Nevada (Bechtel), are trying to privatize Bolivia's water supply.= =20 Here are some links to be made!! Alice >Date: Sun, 09 Apr 2000 19:48:30 -0400 >Subject: Update on Bolivia >X-FC-MachineGenerated: true >From: greenleaf@ak.planet.gen.nz (greenleaf@ak.planet.gen.nz) > >This reply from Bolivia is forwarded to all Water Pressure Group lists, >member/non-member/international. > >If you wish to receive further postings on Bolivia, please reply - we are >forming a separate Email list for that as we did with the World Water >Forum. >Regards >Jim Gladwin >The Water Pressure Group >http://www.water-pressure-group.org.nz/ >email: jimg@pl.net >PO Box 10046 >Dominion Road >Auckland >New Zealand >Ph / Fax 0064 09 828 4517 >Mobile: 025 2666 552 >________________ > >X-Sender: jshultz@albatros.cnb.net >Date: Sun, 09 Apr 2000 18:35:31 -0400 >To: greenleaf@ak.planet.gen.nz >From: Jim Shultz >Subject: UPDATE > >Thanks for all your help. Here's more and please keep us posted on what >you hear. > >Best, > >Jim Shultz > >Sunday, April 9th >Cochabamba, Bolivia > >Dear Friends: > > The situation here in Bolivia remains critical. Since the >declaration of >martial law yesterday at least three people have been killed, including a >17 year old boy shot by soldiers with live ammunition here in Cochabamba. >More than 30 people in Cochabamba alone have been injured from conflicts >with the military. Respected leaders of the water protests have been >jailed, some flown to a remote location in Bolivia=92s jungle. Soldiers >continue to occupy the city=92s center. However, there is now= something very >real and straightforward you can do to help. > > The massive protests that prompted the declaration of martial law here >were prompted by the sale of Cochabamba=92s public water system to a= private >corporation (Aguas del Tunari, owned by International Water Limited) which >then doubled water rates for poor families that can barely afford to feed >themselves. It turns out that that the main financial power behind that >water corporation in the Bechtel Corporation, based in San Francisco >(Source: http://www.bechtel.com/whatnew/1999artsq4.html). > > The people of Bolivia have made it very clear that they want >Bechtel out. >The Bolivian government is so committed to protecting Bechtel that it has >declared martial law and killed its own people. While some in the >government here are saying this afternoon that Bechtel will leave, given >the government's reversal on the same promise Friday the statement has no >credibility here ansent a written agreement and end to martial law. It is >critical that pressure be brought to bear directly on Bechtel in the US. >You can help, here=92s how: > >1) Send an e-mail, letter, fax or make a phone call to: > > Riley Bechtel, Chairman and CEO, Bechtel Corp > E-mail: northame@bechtel.com > Tel: (415) 768-1234 > Fax: (415) 768-9038 > Address: 50 Beale Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 > >2) The Message: > > "Bolivians have made it absolutely clear that they want Bechtel=92s water >company, Aguas de Tunari, out of Bolivia, through a week of huge protests >that have nearly shut down the country. To protect Bechtel, the Bolivian >government has now put the country under martial law, leaving many dead and >wounded. Bechtel has a responsibility to honor the wishes of Bolivians and >bring the crisis to an end by immediatley signing an agreement to turn the >water system back over to Bolivians." > >3) Please send this information as far and wide as you can. More than >1,000 other are receiving this message today. Even 100 e-mails ro calls to >Bechtel Monday will make an enormous difference. > > To give you some additional context on events here I am including >below an >article, which I published in Saturday=92s San Jose Mercury News. The= article >went to press just before the government reversed position and declared >martial law. > > Many thanks, > > Jim Shultz > The Democracy Center > JShultz@democracyctr.org > > > > BOLIVIAN PROTESTERS WIN WAR OVER WATER > >COCHABAMBA, BOLIVIA > >In a stunning concession to four days of massive public uprisings, the >Bolivian government announced late Friday afternoon that it was breaking >the contract it signed last year that sold the region's water system to a >consortium of British-led investors. > >A general strike and road blockades that began Tuesday morning in >Cochabamba shut down the city of half a million, leaving the usually >crowded streets virtually empty of cars and closing schools, businesses and >the city's 25-square-block marketplace, one of Latin America's largest. > >The government's surprise agreement to reverse the water privatization deal >follows four months of public protest. It came just as it appeared that >President Hugo Banzer Su=E1rez was preparing to declare martial law,= possibly >triggering fighting in the streets between riot police and the thousands of >angry protesters who seized control of the city's central plaza. > >Greater meaning > >While rumors are surfacing that the government might backtrack on their >promise, for Bolivians the popular victory apparently won over water has >much wider meaning. ``We're questioning that others, the World Bank, >international business, should be deciding these basic issues for us,'' >said protest leader Oscar Olivera. ``For us, that is democracy.'' > > The selling-off of public enterprises to foreign investors has been a >heated economic debate in Bolivia for a decade, as one major business after >another -- the airline, the train system, electric utilities -- has been >sold into private (almost always foreign) hands. Last year's one-bidder >sale of Cochabamba's public water system, a move pushed on government >officials by the World Bank, the international lending institution, brought >the privatization fight to a boil. > >In January, as the new owners erected their shiny new ``Aguas del Tunari'' >logo over local water facilities, the company also slapped local water >users with rate increases that were as much as double. In a city where the >minimum wage is less than $100 per month, many families were hit with >increases of $20 per month and more. > > Tanya Paredes, a mother of five who supports her family as a >clothes-knitter, says her increase, $15 per month, was equal to what it >costs to feed her family for 1 1/2 weeks. ``What we pay for water comes out >of what we have to pay for food, clothes and the other things we need to >buy for our children,'' she said. > > Public anger over the rate increases, led by a new alliance, known here as >``La Coordinadora,'' exploded in mid-January with a four-day shutdown of >the city, stunning the government and forcing an agreement to reverse the >rate increases. > > In early February, when the promises never materialized, La Coordinadora >called for a peaceful march on the city's central plaza. Banzer (who >previously ruled as a dictator from 1971-78) met the protesters with more >than 1,000 police and an armed takeover of La Cochabamba's center. Two days >of police tear gas and rock-throwing by marchers left more than 175 >protesters injured and two youths blinded. > > February's violent clashes forced the government and the water company to >implement a rate rollback and freeze until November, and to agree to a new >round of negotiations. > >Deal scrutinized > > Meanwhile, La Coordinadora, aided by the local College of Economists, >began to scrutinize both the contract and the finances behind the water >company's new owners. While the actual financial arrangements remain mostly >hidden, the city's leading daily newspaper reported that investors paid the >government less than $20,000 of upfront capital for a water system worth >millions. > > Amid charges of corruption and collusion in the contract by some of the >officials who approved it last year, La Coordinadora announced what it >called la =FAltima batalla (the final battle), demanding that the= government >break the contract and return the water system to public hands. The group >set Tuesday as the deadline for action. > > Government water officials warned that private investors were needed to >secure the millions of dollars needed to expand this growing region's water >system. They argued that breaking the contract would entitle the owners to >a $12 million compensation fee, and pleaded for public patience to give the >new owners time to show the benefits of their experience. > > Among the vast majority of Cochabamba water users, however, that patience >had run out. Two weeks ago, an inquiry surveyed more than 60,000 local >residents about the water issue and more than 90 percent voted that the >government should break the contract. During one of the marches this week >protesters stopped at the water company's offices, tearing down the new >``Aguas del Tunari'' sign erected just three months ago. > > Tuesday, city residents took to the street with bicycles and soccer balls >-- only a few cars moved across town to take advantage of the day off from >work and school. By Wednesday, armies of people from the surrounding rural >areas, fighting a parallel battle over a new law threatening popular >control of rural water systems, began arriving, reinforcing the road >blockades, and puncturing car and bicycle tires. Thursday night, with >another day of wages lost and no sign of movement from the government, >public anger started to erupt. > >Protesters arrested > > A crowd of nearly 500 surrounded the government building where >negotiations, convened by the Roman Catholic archbishop, were taking place >between protest leaders and government officials. In the middle of >negotiations, the government ordered the arrest of 15 La Coordinadora >leaders and others present in the meeting. > > ``We were talking with the mayor, the governor, and other civil leaders >when the police came in and arrested us,'' said Olivera, La Coordinadora's >most visible leader. ``It was a trap by the government to have us all >together, negotiating, so that we could be arrested.'' > > In response, thousands of city and rural residents filled the city's >central plaza opposite the government building, carrying sticks, rocks and >handkerchiefs to help block the anticipated tear gas. Television and radio >reports speculated all day that the president would declare martial law, >and there were reports of army units arriving at the city's airport. > > Freed from jail early Friday morning, the leaders of water protests agreed >to a 4 p.m. meeting with the government, called by the archbishop. At 5 >p.m., government officials still had not arrived and the plaza crowd waited >tensely for the expected arrival of the army. > > Suddenly and unexpectedly, the archbishop walked into the meeting and >announced that the government had just told him that it had agreed to break >the water contract. Jubilant La Coordinadora leaders crossed the street to >a third-floor balcony, announcing the victory to the thousands waiting >below, many waving the red-green-and-yellow Bolivian flag, as the bells of >the city's cathedral echoed through the city center. > >"We have arrived at the moment of an important economic victory," Olivera >told the ecstatic crowd. > =20 Alice Slater Global Resource Action Center for the Environment (GRACE) 15 East 26th Street, Room 915 New York, NY 10010 tel: (212) 726-9161 fax: (212) 726-9160 email: aslater@gracelinks.org http://www.gracelinks.org GRACE is a member of Abolition 2000, a global network for the elimination nuclear weapons. =20 - - To unsubscribe to abolition-usa, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe abolition-usa" in the body of the message. For information on digests or retrieving files and old messages send "help" to the same address. 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